Question

Humanized monoclonal antibodies are a combination of

• A. Heavy and light chain constant domains are from human and variable from mouse
• B. Heavy chain constant domain from mouse and light chain constant domain from human
• C. Heavy and light chain constant domains and variable from mouse
• D. Heavy and light chain constant domains are from mouse and variable from human

Hint:

• Murine mAb All mouse.
• Chimeric mAb Mouse Variable regions + Human Constant regions.
• Humanized mAb Mostly Human Variable region frameworks + Mouse CDRs + Human Constant regions. (Minimizes mouse content to just the essential antigen-binding loops).
• Fully Human mAb Entirely human sequences.
• The goal of humanization is to reduce immunogenicity while retaining antigen-binding specificity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In biotechnology, humanized monoclonal antibodies are engineered antibodies that primarily originate from non-human species, such as mice, but are modified to reduce their human immunogenicity. The process involves combining specific regions of antibodies from different species to optimize safety and efficacy for human use.

Humanized monoclonal antibodies typically consist of:

1. Heavy and Light Chain Constant Domains: The constant domains of both the heavy and light chains are derived from human sources. This reduces the likelihood of the human immune system recognizing the antibodies as foreign.
2. Variable Domains: The variable regions, which are responsible for antigen binding, are retained from the original species, such as mice. This is crucial because these regions confer the specificity of the antibodies toward their target antigens.

Thus, humanized monoclonal antibodies are a combination where the heavy and light chain constant domains are from humans, while the variable domains are from mice. This configuration helps maintain the antibody's specific binding ability while minimizing immune rejection.